About The Perse School
The Perse School is a co-educational independent day school in Cambridgeshire. Entry to Year 7 (11+) is via the ISEB Common Pre-Test, the online adaptive assessment used by leading UK independent senior schools, covering English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning, and may include an interview. The school offers a comprehensive education with a wide range of academic, sporting, musical, dramatic and artistic opportunities.
The Perse School is committed to providing an outstanding educational experience for every pupil, with excellent academic results, strong pastoral care and a thriving extracurricular programme. Scholarships and bursaries are available to support pupils with talent and financial need. Ranked #30 in The Sunday Times Parent Power. GCSE 9-7: 90.4%.
Year 7 Admissions Guide for The Perse School
The Perse School Admissions Criteria
The Perse School is a co-educational independent day school in Cambridgeshire. Entry to Year 7 (11+) is via the ISEB Common Pre-Test, the online adaptive assessment used by leading UK independent senior schools, covering English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning, and may include an interview. The school offers a comprehensive education with a wide range of academic, sporting, musical, dramatic and artistic opportunities.
- ✓Step 1 — Initial enquiry: Contact the Admissions Team at The Perse School to register your interest and request a prospectus. Visit the school on an Open Day or arrange a private tour to experience the school environment first-hand.
- ✓Step 2 — Submit registration: Complete the online (or paper) registration form and pay the registration fee to formally apply for a Year 7 place at The Perse School. Early registration is recommended — many independent schools have rolling admissions and limited Year 7 places.
- ✓Step 3 — Reference from current school: The school will request an academic and pastoral reference from your child's current school. This provides insight into your child's academic progress, character and suitability.
- ✓Step 4 — ISEB Common Pre-Test: Your child will sit the ISEB Common Pre-Test online — the standardised, adaptive assessment used by The Perse School and over 90 other UK independent senior schools. The test covers English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning and takes 2 hours 15 minutes in total. It is age-standardised to allow fair comparison across applicants.
- ✓Step 5 — Interview (where applicable): Many independent schools include an interview as part of the selection process — this is a friendly conversation to learn about their interests, motivations and aspirations.
- ✓Step 6 — Written decision: Following the assessment, parents are notified in writing whether them child has been offered a place at The Perse School.
- ✓Step 7 — Accept the place: To accept an offer, parents complete an acceptance form and pay a deposit to secure the place. The deposit is typically credited against future school fees.
- ✓Academic Scholarships: Awarded to applicants demonstrating exceptional academic ability in the entrance assessment.
- ✓Music Scholarships: For pupils with proven musical ability — supported by an audition.
- ✓Art & Drama Scholarships: For pupils with strong creative and performance ability, supported by a portfolio or audition.
- ✓Sport Scholarships: For pupils with talent and achievement in sport at a competitive level.
- ✓Bursary Awards: Means-tested financial support for families who require help with school fees at The Perse School. Awards are typically assessed annually.
- ✓Sibling Discount: Available at many independent schools for families with multiple children attending.
The Perse School Oversubscription Criteria
- Looked-after and previously looked-after children (highest priority).
- Children who achieve the highest scores in the 11+ entrance test.
- Children living within the school's priority catchment area.
- Children with siblings currently attending The Perse School.
- All other qualifying children ranked by distance from the school.
Key Dates & Deadlines — The Perse School 2026
| 📌 Open Events | Throughout the year — check school website to register |
| 📌 Application Window | Rolling admissions — apply early to secure assessment slot |
| 📌 Entrance Assessment | Arranged after registration submitted |
| 📌 Decision Notification | Following assessment, by written letter from the Head |
| 📌 Acceptance & Deposit | Deposit required to secure offered place |
How to Apply to The Perse School
Step 1 — Attend a Perse Open Event
Attend a Perse Open Event — multiple events throughout the year (e.g. June, September, October)
Step 2 — Submit the online registration form
Submit the online registration form on the Perse School admissions portal
Step 3 — Pay the £150 non-refundable registration fee plus the
Pay the £150 non-refundable registration fee plus the securing/induction fee on acceptance
Step 4 — Register your child by 1 December in the year prior to entry
Register your child by 1 December in the year prior to entry (typical deadline)
Step 5 — The school requests a confidential reference from your
The school requests a confidential reference from your child's current school — significant weight is placed on this reference
Step 6 — Your child sits the 11+ entrance assessment
Your child sits the 11+ entrance assessment — written tests in English and Mathematics, typically held mid-November of Year 6
Step 7 — Interview Period begins approximately 1 December
Interview Period begins approximately 1 December — shortlisted candidates are invited
Step 8 — Following assessment, offers are communicated
Following assessment, offers are communicated; on acceptance, pay the securing/induction fee to secure the place
Independent Subjects Tested at The Perse School
Scholarships & Bursaries at The Perse School
Available scholarships and bursaries: Music Scholarships (audition required), Academic Scholarships, plus means-tested bursaries for families requiring financial assistance.
Outcome announced: Music Scholarships awarded after audition; means-tested bursaries reviewed annually
Additional notes: The Perse School is a leading independent co-educational day school in Cambridge for pupils aged 11-18 (with associated Prep school for ages 3-11). About 1,200 students at the Upper School. 93% of GCSE entries are grades 9-7 and 96% of A Level entries are A*-B.
Independent Practice Papers for The Perse School
The Perse School uses ISEB Common Pre-Test format. Our Practice Papers is a great way to practice for the exam — with full video explanations for every question.
- 3 × English, Maths, VR & NVR tests
- 600 video explanations
- 31.5 hours of video content
- 3 × English, Maths, VR & NVR tests
- 600 video explanations
- 28.5 hours of video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 11.5 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 11 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 9.5 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 10 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 9.5 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 9 hrs video content
How to Prepare for the The Perse School 11+ Exam
ExamTutor practice papers with tutor explanations for every question offers an affordable substitute for private tuition for a fraction of the cost.
📋 Take a Diagnostic Test
Start with a timed practice test to identify strengths and areas needing improvement.
📅 Build a Study Plan
Start at least 6–12 months before the exam. Focus extra time on weaker subjects.
🎥 Review with Video Explanations
Watch video solutions for incorrect answers. Rewatch difficult topics until confident.
⏱️ Develop Exam Technique
Practice under timed conditions to build stamina and learn to manage difficult questions.
📈 Track Progress
Monitor scores over time to see genuine improvement and identify remaining weak spots.
🚀 Build Confidence
Simulating real exam conditions means no surprises on the day — your child knows what to expect.
Academic Performance at The Perse School (GCSE & A-Level Results)
The Perse is an academically selective school with outstanding results at GCSE and A-Level, and a strong tradition of independent research and intellectual curiosity.
- GCSE: an outstanding record across a broad curriculum.
- A-Level: excellent results, with pupils progressing to leading universities (including Cambridge).
- Progression: strong progression to top universities in the UK and abroad.
Exam results change annually, so always confirm the latest published figures on the school’s website.
Catchment Area for The Perse School
The Perse School is an independent school and does not operate a catchment area. As a selective day school, it draws pupils from within about a thirty-mile radius of Cambridge, with entry by assessment rather than where a family lives.
The Senior School (the Upper) is on Hills Road in Cambridge, with the Pelican and Prep nearby; entry points are at 7+, 11+, 13+ and the Sixth Form, with means-tested bursaries available.
Pastoral Care, Sport & Extracurricular Life
Founded in 1615 by Stephen Perse as a free grammar school, The Perse School is a selective co-educational independent day school (ages 3–18) in Cambridge, with the motto ‘Qui facit per alium facit per se’. Now made up of the Pelican, Prep, Upper and Sixth Form (and fully co-educational since 2012), it combines a strong ‘work-hard’ academic ethic with an enriched, balanced education and strong pastoral care, making the most of its Cambridge location and links with the University.
It is known for strength in outdoor education and independent research, alongside a wide co-curricular programme across sport, music and drama. For the full list, see the school’s own website.
Frequently Asked Questions about The Perse School
How do I get into The Perse School?
To gain entry to The Perse School Year 7, parents register their child with the Admissions Team, submit a registration fee and arrange for the child to sit the 11+ entrance assessment covering English and Mathematics. A reference from the current school is required. Following the assessment and any interview, parents are notified in writing of the outcome.
Does The Perse School use the ISEB Common Pre-Test?
Yes. The Perse School uses the ISEB Common Pre-Test as part of its 11+ admissions process. The ISEB Common Pre-Test is an online, adaptive assessment commissioned by ISEB and developed by GL Assessment, used by over 90 leading UK independent senior schools. It covers English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning and takes 2 hours 15 minutes to complete. Results are age-standardised and shared with all senior schools the candidate has registered with.
What is the 11+ exam at The Perse School?
The Perse School uses its own 11+ entrance assessment for Year 7 entry. The assessment covers English and Mathematics, designed to identify both current ability and future academic potential. An interview with the Head or Deputy Head may also form part of the selection process.
Are there scholarships at The Perse School?
Yes. The Perse School offers Academic, Music, Art, Drama and Sport scholarships. Means-tested Bursary Awards are also available to support families requiring financial assistance with school fees. Contact the Admissions Office for current scholarship and bursary information.
When should I apply to The Perse School?
Most independent schools including The Perse School accept applications throughout the year, but Year 7 places are often offered 12-18 months in advance. Register early — ideally by Year 5 (age 9-10) — to secure assessment slots and avoid disappointment.
Are there free Independent 11+ practice papers for The Perse School?
Yes. ExamTutor offers a free Independent 11+ Practice Test Paper and free Tutor Video Explanations. The practice paper matches the format of independent school 11+ entrance exams covering English and Mathematics — the subjects typically tested at The Perse School. No registration required.
When is the The Perse School 11+ registration deadline?
The registration deadline at The Perse School is 1 December in the year prior to entry (Year 6). The registration fee is £150 non-refundable. Always check the school's official admissions page for current details.
When are The Perse School 11+ results announced?
At The Perse School, 11+ assessment results are After interview period (early December onwards). The deadline to accept a place is As specified in offer letter.
What is the acceptance deposit at The Perse School?
The acceptance deposit at The Perse School is Securing and induction fee payable on acceptance of a place (non-refundable). This is payable on acceptance of a place.